Coldsmoke: Sharing West Kootenay Spirit with the World

More skiers descended on Whitewater Ski Resort during those two days than I'd ever seen.  They hailed not just from the Kootenay Rockies but from around the world, gathering for one event: the Coldsmoke Powder Festival.

And it’s about to return. Coldsmoke, an expression characterizing West Kootenay snow, doubles as Whitewater’s name for its annual festival of comps, contests, and general antics.

My first experience with the festival changed my perception of our little Kootenay corner of the world. Reps from some of the biggest names in the snowsports industry were lined up in Whitewater’s pop-up “village”, greeting guests and sharing next year’s gear for testing on the mountain. With the combo of the crowd and brand favourites snagging space in the village, I realized how coveted Kootenay “coldsmoke” was, and how eager the snowsports world was to celebrate it.

In keeping with Nelson’s reputation, the weekend’s celebrations were eclectic. Competitions tested participants on their ability to demonstrate a show-stopping costume and their knowledge of backcountry skills. From the hill, festivities spilled into downtown. There was the film fest showcasing Nelson’s local artists; the “Buff-EH”, filled with food from Whitewater's culinary team; and the reverberating refrains from the Elliott Brood Band. The band was a repeat performer for the Coldsmoke Powder Festival. Their performance reached an exuberant crowd in previous years, sparking their desire to return.

The festival-goers’ energy also sparked the Elliott Brood Band to elect Nelson as their favourite — and most legit — mountain town. “Other places try,” one of the band members said between the music. “Nelson always succeeds.”

That sincere exuberance and the friendly vibe of Nelson was evident all weekend long. Though skiers and riders were going head to head in competitions, threw each other high-fives at the beginning of events and gave bear hugs at the end. Even those contending for the preeminent title, Coldsmoke’s King and Queen, demonstrated insta-camaraderie.

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That’s the norm around here. Coldsmoke is a classic case for why Whitewater is loved. Locals have an “all-are-accepted” attitude. Life is to be shared and enjoyed. And, after experiencing Kootenay winter culture, it’s no wonder why this “coldsmoke” celebration brings the world to our mountain.

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Whitewater will host Coldsmoke on February 24-26, 2017. This year’s line up, including events, competitions, bands (and more!) can be found on the Coldsmoke Powder Festival site.